THE TOMMY DORSEY LEGEND COMES TO NAMPA

NAMPA, Idaho. (Sept. 26, 2017) – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Big Band most well recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands comes to the Nampa Civic Center October 19th at 7:30pm. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra repertoire entertains audiences of all ages throughout the world and represents explosive and swinging Big Band entertainment at its best. Tickets start at $20 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets at www.ictickets.com or by calling 208-442-3232. For more information, please visit www.nampaciviccenter.com.

In Big Band history, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands. It could swing with the best of them, and no other band compared to Tommy’s when it came to playing ballads. Tommy Dorsey, “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”, was a master at creating warm, sentimental and musical moods – at superb dancing and listening tempos. Tommy sustained these moods through the arrangements of the likes of Paul Weston, Axel Stordahl and Sy Oliver, and he showcased singers who could project them brilliantly.

Jack Leonard sang with the band for about four years, recording such fine sides as “Dedicated To You”, “If It’s The Last Thing I do”, “Little White Lies”, “You Taught Me To Love Again”, “Once In A While”, and, probably the most famous of all, “Marie”. With the band singing vocal riffs as Jack sang the straight lyric, “Marie” was so successful that he recorded several more standard tunes with the same formula. They include “Who”, “Yearning”, and “East Of The Sun”. “Song Of India”, the other side of “Marie”, was also a huge Dorsey hit.

Frank Sinatra’s career blossomed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. With Sinatra’s vocals, the band became more successful than ever. Frank had often admitted that listening to Tommy helped him develop his phrasing and breathing, along with his musical taste and knowledge.

Sy Oliver infused the band with a new musical spirit. It was a gentler version of the rocking, rhythmic sounds that he had created for Jimmy Lunceford, toned down somewhat, and played with more precision by the Dorsey Band. These original tunes included “Easy Does It”, “Quiet Please”, “Sing High”, “Yes, Indeed”, “Swingin’ On Nothing”, “Well, Git It”, and “Opus No 1”. Oliver also had a unique way of approaching a straight pop tune, injecting a soft, two-beat feeling into. He did this with resounding success in such arrangements as “What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry? “, “For You”, “Swanee River”, “Mandy”, “Make Up Your Mind”, “Chicago”, and “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”.

The vocalists worked both individually and together, turning out several hits of superior quality. There was Sinatra’s “This Love of Mine”, Jo Stafford’s “Embraceable You”, the Pied Pipers’ and Sinatra’s “There Are Such Things”, “Just As Though You Were Here”, “Street Of Dreams”, and “Oh, Look At Me Now”. Their biggest hit of all, the one that established vocal groups forever, was “I’ll Never Smile Again”.

In the summer of 1941, the band was at its best as it outranked every other band to finish first in one of the most indicative of all popularity polls, Martin Block’s Make Believe Ballroom contest.

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ABOUT NAMPA CIVIC CENTER

The Nampa Civic Center offers 28,000 square feet of inviting and flexible event space for meetings, conferences and trade-shows. The Civic Center is a local gathering place, located on the Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard and surrounded by thriving Nampa businesses and wonderful people. Less than 30 minutes from the Boise Airport, the Nampa Civic Center is a true full service facility. You’ll find our friendly staff ready to assist you in planning your successful event.